Blood Of Fire (The Blood Burden Series) (32 page)

Nicole dove through the gateway with Slade
following close behind.  Luke had to be in the fae realm.  She wasn't ready to
accept that he could be dead.  She hadn't come this far just to lose him now. 
Digging her toes in she barreled forward.  As soon as she passed the limbs of
the willow she could see the orange glow below them.  The town was burning.

"How many warriors are down
there?" Slade yelled over the roar of wind as they rushed forward.

"I don't know for sure.  I can't
tell who's friend or foe but I can feel close to twenty warriors."  Just
as she reached out her powers searching for Luke a large arm caught her around
the throat stopping her in her tracks and slamming her to the ground.  They had
reached the edge of the town and the smoke was thick and choking but it didn't
stop Nicole from seeing who was holding her.  "Brien, you can stop
fighting.  Loch is dead."  Nicole fought for air as he tightened his grip
on her neck.  "I killed him," she wheezed.

"Good, then I can take his
place."  Brien laughed dryly as he drew his fist back.  Just as he swung
Slade knocked him into the dirt.  Within seconds Scarface was back on his feet
staring coldly at Slade, "Do you think just because you suck my powers
away you'll win?  I'm not helpless like your little princess without my warrior
gifts."  In the blink of an eye he tackled Slade and they both went
rolling in a cloud of smoke and dust.

Nicole couldn't stand by and let Slade
fight her battle.  Brien had wanted this fight since the day they met and he
was about to get it.  As soon as the two men rolled apart Nicole slammed her
fist into Brien's face sending him stumbling backwards and, to Nicole's
surprise, a jolt of pain had her shaking her hand.  "Damn it, Slade.  Pull
your power back."

"You're too close to him.  If I
pull my power back he will have
—"

Brien slammed his fist into Nicole's
face knocking her into the dirt.  The world spun on its axis as she tried to
keep conscious.  She was back to being human and Brien knew it.  As her vision
danced she saw Slade and Brien grappling for the upper hand.  They swung fists,
exchanging blow after blow until they moved out of her sight.  Black dots
covered her eyes and she knew was about to pass out just as a figure moved
across her vision.  She prayed that it was Slade but the man reached down and grabbed
a fist full of her curls and pulled her to her feet.  "Ahhh..." he
breathed into her ear.  "I've been waiting for this day for so
long."  Brien spun her so she was facing him and pulled her tight against
his body.  "Maybe I'll keep you instead of killing you.  I'll make you my
whore."

The edge of Nicole's lips tilted up just
slightly as memories flooded her mind.  She had been in this exact position
before on a deserted stretch of highway with a drug dealer who thought he had
the upper hand.  She didn't have powers that day either—just the know-how of a
police officer and the seductive body of a woman.  "Do you think you're
man enough for me?" she laughed dryly in his face.  "A weak warrior
like you couldn't satisfy me.  You're nothing without your power and you know
it" she taunted him.

The anger building in Brien's eyes was
dark as he yanked Nicole's head back exposing her neck.  He stared down at her
body greedily, "Shall I prove you wrong right now, sweetheart?"  His
breath was putrid as it rolled across Nicole's face.

He yanked at her black shirt popping the
buttons off with one move.  The shirt fell open exposing her thin, white
t-shirt that was damp with sweat making it easy to see the lace material of her
bra underneath.  "Men," Nicole whispered smugly.  Using the exact
motion she had used that day on patrol she took advantage of Brien's distracted
state and drove her elbow into his stomach then spun driving the same elbow
into his nose with a sickening crunch.

"You forgot one thing."  She
spoke as she swung her foot planting it between his legs.  "I'm twice as
strong as you."  She held out her hand in front of his face to be sure he
saw the power pooling into her palms.  "I'm not so easy to control." 
Without another thought she sent flames out of her hand in one powerful burst
then she turned away.  She didn't want to see.  She knew he was dead just like
he deserved but she couldn't stand to see any more death.  She rushed over to
find Slade who was pulling himself from the bottom of a ditch.

"So much for you needing my
protection," Slade said dryly as he knocked the dirt from his shirt.

"No time for ego petting.  There
are houses on fire in the town."

Slade nodded and they ran toward the
town.  Nicole could feel warriors all around but it wasn't the pattern of
fighting.  There were no grunts or roars like people at war.  The yells and
screams were commands, "More water before it spreads.  You, take these
people to the castle until it's safe."

"Luke!" Nicole ran in the
direction of his voice.  She could see the silhouette of a man through the
smoke but the pulling in her mind told her it was him.  She blurred forward and
without a seconds hesitation wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him
tight.  "Damn you, you could have let me know you were okay.  I thought
you were dead," she whispered into his chest.

"I saw you kill Loch at the same
moment the warriors started crossing over.  I knew you were safe so the town
needed my help more."  Luke kissed the top of her head.  "The town
needs you now too.  Do you think you could make it rain?"

Nicole nodded.  The flames were fading
as the warriors and fae people ran about but she knew how to finish this off
and put out the fire completely.  Closing her eyes she focused on the sea.  The
smell of salt water filled her lungs and the damp spray of the waves danced in
the air around her as the water awaited her command.  She held her hands up and
imagined a large ball of water pulling together on the surface then, with a
whip of her hands, she pulled it up into the sky.  Large droplets like a sudden
summer shower rained down on the town causing the embers to hiss and smolder as
they were extinguished.

As soon as the fires were dowsed Luke
retrieved Teya and stood her in the center of the town for all to see.  Nicole
ripped the necklace from around the woman's neck so she would be fully aware of
the world that now surrounded her.  "Tell these people why you locked the
gateway to the burial grounds."

At first Teya was confused and timid but
as reality became clear her face hardened.  "To keep control.  You all are
sheep who need a shepherd.  Without it you would all fall to those warriors. 
Even now you prove your stupidity by following this…child."

"This child understands that these
people need their powers.  It's what makes them fae.  You will unlock the
gateway."  Nicole demanded.

Teya cackled throwing back her head,
"Such a fool.  You cannot command me."  She whipped her dark powers
out lightning fast.  People screamed and started to run but Nicole stood strong
in front of the black power.  "Such a brave little princess in the face of
a queen.  You can't open the gateway because you aren't the leader these people
think you are."

"That's where you're wrong." 
Nicole leaned her head back taking in a deep breath, "I can feel all the
gateways just as sure as I feel the wind on my cheeks."  She smiled then
called the blue flame to cover her body in a rush of power that forced Teya to
cower back covering her face.  "I just need the people to see the truth
about you and what better way than to let you show them."  Nicole turned
to Luke, "I believe she would be a great maid, don't you?"

"I think you're right, my Queen." 
Luke smiled.

Slade stepped up just as Teya slung a
web of black from her fingers.  The dark ooze evaporated before it reached
Nicole.  "Kill me," she shrieked running at Nicole but two warriors
pinned her to the ground.

"There will not be another death by
my hand."  Nicole turned her back on Teya as she was pulled away
screaming.  Nicole couldn't stand to have more blood on her hands but Teya had
to be punished for the lives she took.  Wiping her mind would be a much kinder
way to eliminate the threat that Teya held.

"Dad, do you really have to go
back?  You could stay here."  Nicole begged.

James hugged his daughter tight kissing
the top of her head, "I can't be living under your feet.  Plus the guys
back home would miss me."

"You can go back and visit them any
time you want," Nicole pressed the issue.  She didn't want him to leave
the fae realm.  Life was easy here for him.  He didn't have to worry about
anything other than enjoying himself so she couldn't understand why he would
want to go back to his empty house.  Kat was staying with Rhys so why wouldn't
he stay with her?

"You can come visit me. 
Plus," He stepped back taking in his daughter's long white dress with a
wide smile lighting his face. "You and Luke are about to be newlyweds so
you will need your space."

"Space!" she laughed. 
"Dad there's a whole kingdom here for you to get lost in."  Music
started to play outside drifting in to them.  Nicole gave a nervous glance out
the open window and took a deep breath.  "I need you here," she
whispered trying hard to keep the tears away.

James took her hand giving it a tender
squeeze.  "Don't worry, baby.  I'll always be here for you."  With a
smile he helped her place her shimmering crown on her head then led her out of
the castle doors.  Rows and rows of people sat in white chairs with red ribbons
laced into the back of each seat.  The garden was mesmerizing and the air was
soft with the beautiful fragrance of enchanted flowers but Nicole's eyes were
drawn past the gorgeous scenery to the end of the path covered in red rose
petals.  Luke stood smiling at her in a white suit.  The happiness radiating
from him filled her heart to the point of bursting and chased away the nervous
knot in her stomach.  "Are you ready for this?"  James whispered as
they stood at the end of the path.

Nicole nodded not taking her eyes off of
Luke, "He's all I've ever wanted."

"Marriage can be hard."

"I've fought a war and won so I
think I can handle one warrior," Nicole whispered back as they started
forward.

James chuckled under his breath, "I
know you can handle it…I was worried about Luke."

Nicole fought to keep the giggle under
control as they closed the distance, "Me too."  James handed his
daughter to her future husband then took his seat.  She did a quick wave to Kat
who was her glowing bride's maid then turned to smile up into Luke's face,
"Did you miss me?" She whispered.

"More than you would believe. 
Slade's bachelor's party was more of a punishment."

Nicole smiled as she glanced over Luke's
shoulder to where Slade stood next to Rhys as Luke's best man.  A few weeks ago
she never would have dreamed Slade would agree to be part of their wedding but
since the war was finished he seemed happy to just be close to her.  She
thought of the lump in her throat as she tried to tell Slade that she was
marrying Luke.

"Why?"

"Because I love him.  Why
else?" Nicole had snipped at his question.

"You love me too."  Slade
smiled.  He knew she wouldn't deny loving him so he had to try to change her
mind or at the very least make damn sure she knew he wasn't going away
silently.

"It's a different kind of love,
Slade."  Nicole stared down at the floor afraid to meet his stare.  He was
right.  She did love him but it wasn't the love like she had for Luke.  From
the day she met Slade she knew he fit into her life and she didn't want to lose
him but he had to accept that she was in love with Luke.

Slade lifted her chin with a finger
forcing her eyes to his.  "At least you admitted it finally."  One
side of his lips turned up showing a dimple but she could see the sadness he
was trying to hide away.  "If he makes you happy then I will concede."

Nicole felt her heart lift.  She didn't
realize until that moment she had been holding her breath as she waited for his
approval.  She let it out with a smile just in time for Slade to say,
"But, I will be here if you change your mind.  One slip by that warrior
and you will be mine."

Nicole smiled at the memory.  She was
sure the smirk on Slade's face as he stood next to Rhys meant that he had made
Luke's bachelor's party in the Earth realm a living hell.